THE property division at law firm Gordon Brown Associates has launched a service where prospective home buyers can watch DVDs of properties to help in their search for a home.

The firm's estate agencies in Chester-le-Street, Sunderland and Low Fell, Tyneside, are offering the DVD service to people selling homes to help promote their properties, as part of a link-up with County Durham company New Dawn Video Productions.

The DVDs will show a tour of the home for sale, along with a commentary, outlining the property details, as well as measurements of the rooms.

Househunters will be able to use the DVDs to help choose which homes to visit. The service is an extension of the multi-media selling tools the firm already has in place, having introduced 360-degree tours in 2002.

As well as estate agency, Gordon Brown Associates offers independent mortgage advice and residential conveyancing services.

Stephen Pybus, head of estate agency at Gordon Brown Associates, said: "People are finding they have less time to actually visit every house they take an initial interest in, so these DVDs are designed to help them to be more economic with their house hunting. Instead of physically going to every home, they can now pick up DVDs of those homes they are interested in and then make a shortlist for viewing based upon the films.

"The DVDs are not there to replace viewings, they are aimed at helping sellers push their homes up the priority list for buyers."